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I'm now a full-time work-outside-the-home mom and while we're still going on TONS of family adventures, making time for the adventures (verses making time for writing about them!) has taken priority in my life right now.

But have no fear! Our new Facebook page is a great resource for all the wonderful family-friendly stuff happening in Prince George's County and the greater Metro DC area. Be sure to check out the Out by Ten archives on the right for lots of great activities!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

This Saturday, March 27 from 10am until 2pm, the Bowie Baysox (the AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) will host their annual Family FunFest. It's a day of free fun for the entire family!

Highlights include: inflatables, interactive games, a scavenger hunt, live music, face painting and a chance to run the bases (weather permitting). In addition, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and Bowie Police will be there with a firetruck and activities.

While you're there, you can purchase regular season tickets and don't forget to register your kids for the Louie Kids Club. It's free to join and every time your kids visit the ballpark this season, they'll get a Louie Fun Pad (an activity booklet) and just for registering they recieve a special gift. It looks like there will be lots of great kid-friendly events at Bowie Baysox games this season.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Yesterday I bought Lucas and Nathaniel matching outfits for Easter--plaid button up shirts with navy sweater vests and tan pants. Abel had a few hours free during the day so he was with me at the store. As I was searching back and forth between the baby section and the boy section for perfect matches, he asked, "Do they really have to match exactly?"

My reply: "Look, I have two boys and that means no dresses, no bows, no ribbons, nothing! Matching holiday outfits is all I have!" He laughed, and agreed, then helped me look.

To all you lucky ladies who get to shop in the twice-as-large girl clothing section: I'm a little jealous. But, I have a feeling that when we hit the tween years, I won't be quite so jealous. I'm told it's tough to be the mother of a tween girl.

So if you are in the throws of the drama that is life with a tween girl (defined here as ages 8-14) then I've got a treat for you! Dove go fresh deodorants and body wash has offered me two sets of mother-daughter tickets to Rosalind Wiseman's Girl World Tour on April 6. This two hour workshop at Georgetown Day School will be filled with mother-daughter bonding and features an interactive discussion about confidence, friendships and how to navigate those "sweat-inducing" moments (ha ha, hence the deodorant sponsorship!). Parent attendees will receive a copy of Wiseman's book, Queen Bees & Wannabees. Girl attendees will receive a copy of her new young adult novel, Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials. There's also a great gift bag for everyone and Ms. Wiseman will be signing her books that evening! Awesome, right?

Tickets are $40 per mother-daughter pair (note: any adult is welcome to attend with the tween in their life--fathers, Girl Scout leaders, aunts, etc. are welcome!)

You can purchase tickets to the Washington, DC Workshop at Georgetown Day School here. Or, better yet, leave a comment below to win one of the two sets I am giving away!

Giveaway details: Leave one comment per person on this post by Wednesday, March 24 at 5pm to be entered. I must have a way to contact you if you win or your entry will be disqualified. If you have a blogger account please be sure your e-mail address is linked to the account. Or, you can also leave your e-mail address in your comment. I will choose two winners at random and notify the winners by Friday, March 26. Your names will be left on the Will Call list at the event. Good luck!

Edited to add: if you have trouble commenting (for example, if you get a message that your comment couldn't be published) try just hitting "submit" again. I have found that it sometimes takes two tries to get the word verification to come up. If you still have trouble, feel free to e-mail me at smilingaimee@gmail.com and I'll add your comment myself. Thanks :)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this post. I was offered two sets of tickets to giveaway to readers.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The circus is coming to town! Did you ever stop to think about how they get those big animals from the trains to the venue? They walk them right through town!

Last year I took Lucas into DC to watch the elephant parade. It was a very fun, free way to enjoy the elephants (and clowns and a few other animals) in a unique way. Unfortunately, in an attempt to avoid the crowd that had gathered on one side of the street, we got the back end of their little show.

That big one on the right did give us just the kind of show a 3 year old boy would love. Ahem.

You can catch the Pachyderm Parade this Tuesday, March 16. The parade is tentatively scheduled to begin at 1pm.

The walk will start at Virginia Avenue, SE then will head Northwest on Washington Avenue, SW. It will then head West on Independence Avenue, SW, past the Congressional Office Buildings and the Capitol. They'll turn North on 3rd Street, SW and continue on 3rd Street NW before heading West on G Street, NW. Finally, they will go North on 6th Street, NW and into the loading dock at the Verizon Center.

Tips:

Organizers are encouraging press to be at 3rd Street between Jefferson Drive, SW and Madison Drive, NW at approximately 1:20pm. That's the West front of the Capitol Building. My guess is that this is where you'll want to be as well, to catch a little show. The Federal Center SW Metro stop is the closest stop to this location.

Another option, if you want to take the Metro, is to get off at Judiciary Square and catch the parade at the corner of 3rd Street, NW and E Street, NW.

Timing is subject to change. Call the Animal Walk Hot Line at 866.683.3670 or follow them on Twitter @DCAnimalWalk for arrival time updates.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Oh my, spring is just SO close we can almost taste it! We're so ready to be outside every day exploring our local playgrounds and parks. But, until the warm weather really arrives, we are still in need of some indoor locations to help burn off some energy. Pump it Up is a great place to do that!

I took Lucas to the local Pump it Up about a year ago and yesterday afternoon he was there again for a birthday party. Not only did he have a blast, even the sugar high from the birthday cupcake didn't stop him from falling right to sleep last night and even sleeping in a bit this morning!

Pump it Up is basically two huge rooms filled with inflatables--moon bounces, obstacle courses and amazing slides--for kids to jump, bounce and climb to their heart's content. Parents are welcome to get in the game, too! It's a great work out (trust me!). Other than hosting or being invited to a party at Pump It Up, families have three opportunities to visit each week.

Family Jump TimeTuesdays from 5pm-7pmAll ages welcome.$7 per childParents are free for all sessions and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Socks and waivers are required. Space is limited: first come first served.

About Me

Hi! I'm Aimee aka Smiling Mama. I get the Mama title from Lucas (born in 2005) and Nathaniel (born in 2010). Along with my husband, Abel, we live in a creaky old house in a wonderful town in Prince George's County, MD. I work full-time outside the home and am seemingly unable to say no to a volunteer role. I believe in kindness, love lists, and do my best to keep smiling. Thanks for stopping by!